True Confession

They say that women read romantic books

because they cannot get the men they want.

The ones they have lack charm or wealth or looks;

or the dream lover is somehow absent –

busy, distant, even non-existent.

It's true that only since I've been alone,

with no desire to replace the man gone –

yet with desire – I've tried such books myself.

I can please myself, now I'm on my own.
Some thrillers can't yet be left on the shelf.